Values & History

Our Premise

The Center for Labor & Community Studies University of Michigan-Dearborn has been providing labor education since 1957. CLCS's work incorporates the original Labor Studies Center, formerly housed at U-M Ann Arbor, and has expanded to include additional programs, research, seminars, networks, and activities for the greater community. Our primary work revolves around providing quality adult education programs, including organization staff training, online symposiums, six-week short courses, and our six yearly conferences:

Black Men in Unions Institute (February)
School of Women Workers (April)
Young Workers Conference (June)
Workers Pride Conference (July)
Latina/o Workers Leadership Institute (September)
Fall Leadership Institute (November)

Our Code of Ethics

We expect the following of our staff, volunteers, and partners:

CLCS volunteers and staff shall act honestly and ethically while in the performance of their duties. They shall treat all CLCS employees, volunteers, and program participants with respect, courtesy, and dignity. CLCS staff and volunteers shall not discriminate and shall be respectful of ethnic, national, gender, and cultural differences.

Any concerns should be brought promptly to CLCS Staff.

How We Started

The Labor Studies Center in Ann Arbor opened in 1957 and has been providing educational offerings in the field of labor relations ever since. Since its inception, CLCS has had a focus on working-class women and minority workers that has set it apart from other labor education centers of the same age. The Labor Studies Center relocated to U-M Dearborn in 2009 after union members won the fight to keep the Center's doors open. The Center was renamed the Center for Labor & Community Studies as part of the move.

Built on Partnership

Our continuing education programs are done in partnership with other institutions, community leaders, and experts. Our longest-standing partnership is with Doing Development Differently in Metro Detroit, around a community-oriented leadership development program called the Detroit Civic Leadership Institute.

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